Cap



E. C. LENTZ Sept. 26, 1967 CAP Filed March 29, 1965 INVENTOR. Zia 71 6'. 467771.

P A OF/VE/G United States Patent 3,343,712 CAP Ervin C. Lentz, Jackson, Micln, assignor to Walker Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 443,367 3 Claims. (Cl. 22046) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to means for sealing or closing the ends of thin-walled tubular members and, more particularly, to a filler cap construction adapted to be detachably mounted and seal the open end of an oil fill stand pipe of an automotive or similar type internal combustion engine.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved filler cap construction which provides an effective air-tight seal at the open end of the oil fill stand pipe of an internal combustion engine, and thereby prevents the outflow or escape of objectionable blowby or crankcase gases from the crankcase of the engine.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved filler cap construction of the above character wherein the gas pressure within the crankcase and stand pipe serves to improve the sealing characteristics of the cap.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved filler cap construction of an extremely simple design which can be easily assembled and is thus readily adapted to be commercially produced.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the foregoing and other related objects and advantages are achieved through the provision of a novel cap construction which includes a resilient and deformable sealing member that is adapted to sealingly engage the open end of a thin-walled tubular member, for example, an oil fill stand pipe of an internal combustion engine, whereby to prevent the escape of any gaseous substances from the end of the pipe, such as objectionable crankcase gases produced during the operation of internal combustion engines. The aforesaid sealing member is arranged within the cap construction such that sealing effectiveness of the cap will increase in accordance with an increase of the internal pressure within the tubular member.

A more complete understanding of the present invention and other objects and features thereof will be obtained from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a transverse cross sectional view of the cap construction of the present invention, as seen in a partially installed position on a conventional thin walled tubular member;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross sectional view of the cap construction of the present invention, as seen in a completely installed position on a thin-walled tubular member;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the structure illustrated within the circle 3 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view, partially broken away, of the cap construction of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing, a cap 10, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, is shown in operative association with one end of a thinwalled tubular member, generally designated by the numeral 12. The cap construction 10 comprises an annular cover member 14 and a tube-engaging support member 16 which is arranged below and is fixedly secured to the cover member 14. The cover member 14 is formed with a central cup-shaped section 18 which defines a flat circular top portion 20 and radially outwardly and downwardly extending side portion 22. The lower and outermost end of the side portion 22 terminates in a substantially flat, radially outwardly projecting flange section 24 which extends entirely around the cup-shaped section 18 and is formed with an upwardly projecting embossed portion 26 which isconcentrically arranged around the section 18.

The member 16 comprises a cylindrical support section 28 that is flared outwardly at its lower end, as seen at 30, and which terminates at the upper end in a radially outwardly extending flange section 32. The inner diameter of the support section 28 is preferably slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tubular member 12 so as to permit the cap 10 to be easily assembled onto the member 12, as will be described. The section 32 is formed with a pair of semi-circular cross-sections, concentrically arranged and upwardly projecting embossed ridges 34 and 36, the radially innermost of which, i.e. 34, registers with or is radially aligned with the embossed portion 26 of the flange section 24. The radially outermost ridge 36 is arranged so as to engage the lower side of the flange section 24 circumjacent the outer periphery of the embossed portion 26. The radially outermost edge of-the flange section 32 constitutes a securing rim portion 38 which is bent upwardly and radially inwardly around the outer peripheral edge of the cover members flange section 24, the edge of the rim portion 38 contiguously engaging the upper surface of the flange section 24, as seen at 40, and thereby rigidly securing the members 14 and 16 together.

Means for providing a fluid-tight seal between the cap construction 10 of the present invention and the end of the tubular member 12 is provided by a flat annular sealing member or ring 42 which is preferably constructed of a resilient and deformable material such as rubber, neoprene, or similar material that will not be adversely affected by the fluid substances which may be communi cated through the tubular member 12.

The sealing ring 42 is secured within the cap construction 10 by having a medial portion thereof compressed between the upper surface of the radially innermost embossed ridge 34 and the lower surface of the flange section 24 adjacent the inner periphery of the embossed portion 26. It will be noted that the sealing ring 42 provides a fluid tight seal between the cover member 14 and support member 16. As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the inner peripheral edge section of the sealing ring 42, herein designated 43, projects radially inwardly from the inner surface of the support section 28 and is adapted to have its lower side engage the upper end of the tubular member 12, whereby to provide a fluid tight seal across the end of the tubular member 12, as will hereinafter be described.

The cap construction of the present invention is adapted to be detacha'bly secured to the tubular member 12 by fastening means in the form of a spring clip 44 which comprises resilient gripping leg sections 46 and 48 that depend downwardly from the opposite sides of a medial or support section 50, the leg sections 46 and 48 having radially outwardly and downwardly extending portions 52 and 54, respectively, that terminate at their lower ends in radially inwardly and downwardly extending portions 56 and 58, respectively. The juncture of the portions 3 S6, 52 and 58, 54, define tube abutment sufaces 60 and 62, respectively, which are adapted to resiliently engage the inner wall of the tubular member 12. The spring clip 44 may be secured to the cap construction of the present invention by any suitable means, such as a rivet 64 which fixedly secures the medial section 50 to the center of the cover member 12.

In operation, the cap construction 10 is initially adapted to be slid axially onto or over the end of the tubular member 12, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, whereby the spring clip member 44 resiliently engages the inner periphery of the member 12 to detachably secure the cap 10 thereon. The cap then is adapted to be forced axially downward onto the tubular member 12 until the lower side of the inner peripheral edge section 43 of the sealing ring 42 engages the upper end of the member 12, as illustrated in FIGURE 2. A particular design feature of the present invention resides in the fact that when the cap 10 is assembled onto the tubular member 12, as above described, there is provided an area differential between the portions of the sealing ring 42 that are exposed to the atmosphere and to the pressure conditions within the tubular member 12. More particularly, when the cap construction 10 is assembled onto the tubular member 12, the area of the sealing ring 42 that is exposed to the pressure conditions within the tubular member 12 is somewhat larger than the area of the sealing ring 42 which is exposed to atmospheric conditions, i.e., the area 66 of the sealing ring 42 which is exposed to the interior of the member 12 is greater than the area 68 of the sealing ring 42 which is exposed to the annulus 70 defined between the outer periphery of the tubular member 12 and the inner periphery of the cylindrical support section 28 of the construction 10. Accordingly, as the internal pressure within the tubular member 12 increases, the inner peripheral section 43 of the sealing ring 42 will be forced downwardly into sealing engagement with the upper end of a tubular member 12, thereby providing an effective fluid tight seal between the interior of the member 12 and the annulus 70, and hence between the interior and exterior of the tubular member 12. It may be noted that the ultimate pressure within the tubular member 12 which the cap construction 10 is able to seal against is determined by the frictional force exerted by the spring clip 44 against the interior of the member 12. In the event the pressure force within the tubular member 12 exceeds the friction force exerted by the clip 44, the cap 10 will be forced upwardly on the member 12 until the section 43 of the sealing ring 42 is biased out of sealing engagement with the upper end of the tubular member 12, at which time the internal pressure within the member 12 will be relieved. Thus, the sealing ring 42 functions to provide a fluid tight seal at the upper end of the tubular member 12 within a pressure limit determined by the spring force of the clip member 44.

It will be seen that the cap construction 10 of the present invention will find particular application as closure means for oil fill stand pipes of automotive and similar type of internal combustion engines. In such an application, the cap construction 10 may be easily removed to permit oil to be communicated to the stand pipe, the cap 10, when operatively assembled onto the stand pipe, serving to provide an eifective gas tight seal to prevent the outflow or escape of objectionable crankcase gases from the crankcase of the engine. It will be apparent, however, that although the cap construction 10 of the present invention will find particular utility in the aforesaid appli cation, use of the cap 10 is not intended to be limited to this sole application, since it will be obvious that the cap 10 may be readily used in providing a detachably mounted fluid tight seal on virtually any type of thin-walled tubular member, and it is to be understood that the claims appended hereto which are not specifically limited to oil fill stand pipes for internal combustion engines are not to be construed as being directed toward the aforesaid application.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment herein illustrated is Well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the cap construction 10 of the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change Without departing from the V proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cap construction for sealing one end of a thinwalled tubular member,

a first body member comprising a central cup-shaped section and a first radially outwardly extending flange section,

said cup-shaped section defining a circular medial portion and a radially outwardly and downwardly projecting side portion,

said first flange section defining an upwardly projecting embossed portion,

a second body member comprising a cylindrical support section and a second radially outwardly extending flange section,

said support section defining an annulus with the outer periphery of the tubular member,

said second flange section defining at least one upwardly projecting ridge engageable with the lower surface, of said first flange section,

said second flange section including a rim portion bent upwardly and radially inwardly around the outer peripheral edge of said first flange section whereby to secure said first and second body members together,

a flat annular sealing ring having a medial portion interposed between said embossed portion and said ridge and an inner peripheral section engageable with one end of the tubular member,

said sealing ring having a first area exposed to said annulus and a second area exposed to the interior of the tubular member,

said first and second areas being substantially unequal whereby said inner peripheral section of said ring is sealingly engaged with said one end of the tubular member.

2. In a cap construction adapted to be detachably mounted on the oil fill stand pipe of an internal combustion engine,

a first body member comprising a central cup-shaped section and a first radially outwardly extending flange section,

said cup-shaped section defining a circular medial portion and a radially outwardly and downwardly projecting side portion,

said flange section defining an upwardly projecting embossed portion,

a second body member comprising a cylindrical support sectiton and a second radially outwardly extending flange section,

said support section defining an annulus with the outer periphery of the stand pipe,

said second flange section defining at least one upwardly projecting ridge engageable with the lower surface of said first flange section,

said second flange section including a rim portion bent upwardly and radially inwardly around the outer peripheral edge of said first flange section whereby to secure said first and second body members together,

means for providing a fluid-tight seal between the lower surface of said first body member and the upper surface of said second body member,

a flat annular sealing ring having a medial portion interposed between said embossed portion and said ridge and an inner peripheral section engageable with one end of the stand pipe,

said sealing ring having a first area exposed to said annulus and a second area exposed to the interior of the tubular member,

said first and second areas being substantially unequal whereby said inner peripheral section of said ring is sealingly engaged with said one end of the stand pipe.

3. In a cap construction adapted to be detachably mounted on the oil fill stand pipe of an internal combustion engine,

a cover member comprising a central cup-shaped section,

said cup-shaped section including a circular medial portion and a radially outwardly and downwardly projecting side portion,

said side portion terminating at its lower end in a radially outwardly projecting flange section,

said flange section defining an upwardly projecting an nular embossment,

a support member comprising a cylindrical support section having an inner diameter which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the stand pipe and which defines an annulus therewith,

said support section terminating at its upper end in a radially outwardly extending flange section which is formed with at least one upwardly projecting annular ridge and rim portion bent upwardly and radially inwardly around the outer peripheral edge of said flange section of said cover member whereby to secure said cover member and said support member together,

a flat annular sealing ring constructed of a resilient and deformable material and having a medial portion interposed between said embossed portion and said ridge whereby to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between said cover member and said support member,

said sealing ring comprising an inner peripheral edge portion including a first area exposed to said annulus and a second area exposed to the interior of the stand pipe,

said second area being somewhat larger than said first area whereby said inner peripheral edge portion of said ring is sealingly engaged with the adjacent end of the stand pipe, and

fastening means for detachably securing the cap to the stand pipe comprising a resilient spring clip fixedly secured to said cover member and adapted to resiliently engage the inner periphery of the stand pipe.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. J'. B. MARBERT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A CAP CONSTRUCTION FOR SEALING ONE END OF A THINWALLED TUBULAR MEMBER, A FIRST BODY MEMER COMPRISING A CENTRAL CUP-SHAPED SECTION AND A FIRST RADIALLY OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE SECTION, SAID CUP-SHAPED SECTION DEFINING A CIRCULAR MEDIAL PORTION AND A RADIALLY OUTWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY PROJECTING SIDE PORTION, SAID FIRST FLANGE SECTION DEFINING AN UPWARDLY PROJECTING EMBOSSED PORTION, A SECOND BODY MEMBER COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL SUPPORT SECTION AND A SECOND RADIALLY OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE SECTION, SAID SUPPORT SECTION DEFINING AN ANNULUS WITH THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER, SAID SECOND FLANGE SECTION DEFINING AT LEAST ONE UPWARDLY PROJECTING RIDGE ENGAGEABLE WITH THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID FIRST FLANGE SECTION, SAID SECOND FLANGE SECTION INCLUDING A RIM PORTION BENT UPWARDLY AND RADIALLY INWARDLY AROUND THE OUTER PERIPHERAL EDGE OF SAID FIRST FLANGE SECTION WHEREBY TO SECURE SAID FIRST AND SECOND BODY MEMBERS TOGETHER, A FLAT ANNULAR SEALING RING HAVING A MEDIAL PORTION INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID EMBOSSED PORTION AND SAID RIDGE AND AN INNER PERIPHERAL SECTION ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE END OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER, SAID SEALING RING HAVING A FIRST AREA EXPOSED TO SAID ANNULUS AND A SECOND AREA EXPOSED TO THE INTERIOR OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER, SAID FIRST AND SECOND AREAS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY UNEQUAL WHEREBY SAID INNER PERIPHERAL SECTION OF SAID RING IS SEALINGLY ENGAGED WITH SAID ONE END OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER. 